Acne is a skin condition that can be very frustrating and embarrassing. It creates redness, inflammation, and pimples all over the face as well as on other areas of the body such as back or shoulders. While there are many ways to treat acne, what works best for you will depend on your age group and facial makeup.
The “ skincare routine for acne” is a product that has been recommended by dermatologists al over the world. It contains all the necessary information to get glowing and acne free skin. your skin will look plump and will glow from within.
Acne is one of the most prevalent skincare concerns that we’re asked about on a regular basis. It may seem to be an endless fight at times, but with the correct knowledge and help, you can learn to control your breakouts and lessen the indicators of a flare-up.
Remember that when it comes to acne, information is power, therefore knowing what causes acne and what triggers acne is critical. As a result, we’ve put up a guide with the most relevant information, acne treatments, and acne skincare advice we’ve gathered over the years.
Cause
Acne arises when a mix of dead skin cells and sebum clogs your hair follicles (pores) (the natural oil your skin produces). As a result, whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples appear. If your acne is severe, you may get cystic acne, which implies the infection has progressed deeper into your skin and the pore has become inflamed, resulting in a pus-filled bump. It’s critical to be able to distinguish the kind of pimple you’re dealing with since each requires a distinct therapy.
Types of Acne
Whitehead
It is a hair follicle that has been blocked due to dead skin cells stacking up around the follicle entrance. This is a cyst that is smaller and less inflammatory. Instead of popping a whitehead, you should use a topical spot treatment. A retinoid cream may also help prevent further whiteheads by removing dead skin cells from blocking pores and allowing the skin to absorb treatments more effectively.
Blackhead
It is a whitehead that has been exposed to oxygen, causing the contents to oxidize and become black. Salicylic acid is effective for both preventing and treating blackheads because it is oil-soluble and has a tiny molecular structure, allowing it to penetrate deep into the pore and break down the ‘glue’ that holds the blockage together. You may also remove blackheads using nose strips (we love the Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, which you can use bi-weekly) or a blackhead extractor, although the latter requires extreme caution (find out how here).
Pimple
A pimple is caused by an overpopulation of bacteria known as p.acnes, which triggers an immunological reaction that results in redness, swelling, discomfort, and sometimes pus. To make a fast and simple DIY, softly press a heated (but not too hot) flannel against your skin to open your pores, then dab tea tree oil or a piece of fresh ginger on the blemish, both of which have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
Cysts
These are more painful, bigger, redder, and higher in elevation than whiteheads. You should never attempt to bust a cyst since this might spread germs and cause additional inflammation, making it take longer to heal. Check out our complete dermatologist’s advice to treating cystic acne here.
Nodule
A nodule is a severe form of acne that resembles a cyst. A nodule is a solid, big, and painful bump under the skin’s surface, similar to a cyst. It does not have a head like a cyst, and the lump of dead skin and sebum will stay intact for weeks or even months. To assist unclog the trapped material, retinoids and salicylic acid may be utilized, but it’s preferable to get this treated with prescription ointments or antibiotics from your doctor.
Acne Skin care Routine
If you have acne-prone skin, using products designed to soothe and control oil production on a regular basis will help you rebalance your skin, prevent flare-ups, and enhance skin regeneration. Using the improper formulations and components, on the other hand, might cause chaos, which is why it’s critical to carefully personalize your regimen. To assist, we sought advise from specialists on how to effectively treat acne-prone skin.
Cleanse
The first step to a proper program, is “soft washing, both in the morning and evening, since it will decrease oiliness.” This will also aid in the decongestion of your pores and the prevention of outbreaks. It’s especially vital to use the appropriate cleanser for oily and acne-prone skin; a gel or foam cleanser will clean deep into pores without leaving any residue.
Morning: Wash your face with a foam or gel cleanser, and seek for antibacterial compounds like tea tree or honey, which may help decrease acne germs in the skin.
The Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel, $14, has natural exfoliants like papaya and grapefruit, which reduce dead skin build-up that may cause blackheads and pimples.
Evening: Always double cleanse to ensure any traces of makeup, as well as any debris, germs, or pollution, have been eliminated from your skin. Cleaning oils are an excellent initial step since the oil will combine with any extra sebum on the surface of your skin and be wiped away with the cleanser. They may also help calm your skin since they’re often antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
The Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Oil Cleanser, $48, is loaded with antioxidant-rich vitamins A, B, D, and E to nourish the skin and reduce scarring.
Mario Badescu, Tatcha, and Neutrogena are some of the brands that have been mentioned.
Another good drugstore option is the Neutrogena Ultra-Light Face Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover. After that, use a water-based cleanser, such as a foam or gel cleanser. More information on this excellent K-beauty practice can be found in our guide to double cleaning.
Toning
For acne-prone skin, a good toner is vital since it helps to decrease the appearance of pores, manage oil production, and brighten and even skin tone. To help shed any dead skin and decongest your pores, look for a toner that includes chemical exfoliants. This will reduce the possibility of outbreaks. Keep an eye out for ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid, which are your skincare holy grail. Natural components like as ginseng, chamomile, and rose are also fantastic since they’re high in antioxidants, which help to decrease inflammation and soothe the skin.
Morning: Use a calming toner with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or ginseng to start your day.
Khiel’s Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner, is easy on the face and doesn’t leave it feeling tight, while Mario Badescu Witch Hazel & Lavender Toner, is wonderfully relaxing.
Evening: It’s time to amp up your formula at night; search for elements that will remove any remaining makeup and tighten your pores.
Use an AHA toner, such as the Pixi Glow Tonic, which includes glycolic acid, or the COSRX One Step Original Clear Pad, which contains willow bark extract and tea tree leaf oil to battle acne germs and decrease inflammation and swelling. The Caudalie Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Toner, is another great toner for acne-prone skin.
Serum
Morning: To preserve your skin, use a moisturizing serum or a vitamin C solution, such as Glow Recipe Pineapple-C Brightening Serum, which includes Vitamin C, AHAs, smoothing pineapple juice, and hydrating hyaluronic acid to brighten and even tone.
Evening: Use a stronger serum to thoroughly clean pores, such as The Inkey list Beta Hydroxy Acid, which includes 2% salicylic acid, 1% zinc salt compound to minimize excess sebum, and hyaluronic acid to nourish the face.
We also like the Caudalie Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Serum, which contains salicylic acid, purifying rose water, antioxidant-rich grape seed extract, and non-comedogenic essential oils with antiseptic properties, as well as non-comedogenic essential oils with antiseptic properties.
Moisturize your skin
One of the most frequent skincare fallacies is that you don’t need to moisturize if you have oily or acne-prone skin, but this is not true! It’s possible to have oily skin while also being dehydrated. In fact, the more dry your skin is, the more oil it produces to keep your skin cells lubricated.
So make sure you’re moisturizing morning and night with a light formula that’s ‘non-comedogenic,’ meaning it won’t clog pores, and ‘non-acnegenic,’ meaning it’s been carefully tested for acne-prone skin and doesn’t include any irritating components. Other great elements to look for include moisturizing hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid, which may help declog pores and prevent breakouts.
Morning: The Tatcha The Water Cream, is one of our all-time favorite moisturizers, and it’s ideal for all skin types. It’s blended with Japanese wild rose and lily to help cleanse the skin, tighten pores, and smooth the texture. Neutrogena’s Rapid Clear Acne Defense Oil-Free Face Lotion & Moisturizer, is another non-comedogenic option.
Evening: Because this is when your skin loses the most moisture, you may apply a thicker product at night. The Mizon All-In-One Snail Repair Cream, contains 92 percent snail extract, which helps cure acne scars and hydrates the face without being too heavy — it sounds horrible, but it works.
You should opt for oil-free products and steer clear of products containing natural oils — adding them to an already oily skin type might result in blocked pores and breakouts.
However, other oils, such as Sunday Riley UFO Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil, are designed exclusively for acne-prone face and include 1.5 percent salicylic acid, Tea tree oil, and black cumin seed oil to help clean skin.
SPF
Another popular skincare misconception is that exposure to the sun helps to prevent breakouts, however this is not true!
While it may seem like the sun dries out pimples, it is really harmful to your skin. If you’re using products with AHAs, which make your skin more susceptible to UV rays, this is especially important if you have acne-prone skin. Because the sun may darken scars, if you have acne scarring, using an SPF can assist your scars heal and fade faster than if they were exposed to the sun.
During the summer, search for a lightweight cream with an SPF of 30 and a 5-star UVA rating, and in the winter, look for a formula with SPF. We’re now using Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen, which has an oil-free composition that helps prevent shine while also protecting your skin from UVA and UVB radiation.
Weekly Skincare steps
Exfoliate
Another important skincare step for acne-prone skin is exfoliation. Although, according to Dr. Dennis Gross, “avoid harsh washes and over-drying skin since this can encourage your skin to increase its own natural production of oil to compensate for the dryness created by products, exacerbating the problem.”
Instead, use a chemical exfoliant that contains an enzyme or an acid. Chemical exfoliants have a smaller molecular structure, allowing them to reach deeper into the skin to dissolve and remove the glue that binds debris in your pores and causes dead skin cell build-up.
Look for alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acid, as well as beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is strongly recommended by Dr. Dennis Gross because “it’s oil soluble, so it may profoundly infiltrate and clear oil-ridden pores.” It’s also anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, so it’ll help clear the skin of acne-causing germs.
We recommend exfoliating at night since it allows your skin to repair and renew before it is exposed to the sun. Especially if you’re using a powerful ingredient like The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. It’s one of our favorites since it contains four different kinds of AHAs, as well as salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin (although you should only need to use it every other week). The Go-To Exfoliating Swipeys, are also a favorite since they’re loaded with lactic acid to remove dead skin and aloe Vera to treat any existing pimples.
Exfoliate no more than three times a week, and on those days when you do, avoid using AHA and BHA-containing products.
Face Mask
Another fantastic weekly addition for acne-prone skin is a detoxifying face mask. You can help decrease oiliness, decongest your pores, and alleviate irritation in only 15 minutes. Simply look for masks that include mattifying and cleaning substances like as salicylic acid or purifying clay. The Be Barefaced Dead Sea Mud Mask is filled with dead sea minerals and kaolin clay to eliminate dirt and grime while also absorbing excess sebum, leaving your skin feeling clean and fresh.
We also like the L’Oréal Pure Clay Mask, which helps to remove excess oil while also tightening, toning, and brightening your face with eucalyptus, which has natural astringent effects.
Retinol
While the thought of taking a retinol may be frightening, it may really help acne-prone skin. It may help decongest your pores, making them seem smaller and reducing outbreaks, as well as reducing the appearance of acne scars by increasing skin cell turnover. It’s also an anti-inflammatory, which means it’ll help to decrease swelling and redness.
As a result, you should gradually include retinol into your daily routine. For the first month, use it twice a week and gradually increase your use. We’re now using Philosophy’s Help Me Retinol Night Treatment, which is water-based and won’t clog pores. For maximum results, use it at night beneath your moisturizer. Another wonderful retinol is The Inkey List’s Retinol, which is a lot more budget-friendly. The mixture includes 1% retinol and 0.5 percent granactive retinoid (retinol’s somewhat stronger brother), as well as squalane for calming, making it very powerful for the price.
Extra Tips
Even if your skincare routine is flawless, if you engage in any of the following behaviors, it’s possible that they’re contributing to your breakouts.
- Stress: It causes the stress hormone cortisol to be released, which causes your oil glands to create more sebum (oil), which may clog your pores and cause breakouts. Check out our article for some stress-relieving advice.
- Being a slob: If you don’t clean the beauty equipment or gadgets you use on your face on a regular basis, you run the danger of spreading germs to your face and blocking your pores, which may lead to breakouts. So go OCD about cleaning your phone, makeup brushes, and pillows on a weekly basis.
- Touching your face: We touch our faces on average more than three times every hour, moving germs and dirt to our faces. Picking your pimples, as tempting as it may be, will only irritate them, making them more inflamed and prone to scar.
- Your diet: There is a strong link between your food and your skin. Due to the hormones in milk, dairy products, in particular, have been found to cause breakouts, so try to avoid cheese and cow’s milk as much as possible. Instead, try almond or coconut milk, vegan cheese, or yogurt. Dried fruit, fizzy drinks, and milk chocolate are other foods to avoid since they contain a lot of sugar, which causes inflammation and may dry and irritate your skin. Here’s a healthy chocolate substitute that’s ah-mazing.
It’s always preferable to visit your dermatologist if you believe your skin isn’t correct or under control, as it is with any skincare concerns.